/ 


REPORT 


OF  THE 


Iperinl  Cj mmittee 


0  N 


RELATIVE  TO  LAYING-  OUT  A 


New  Park  in  the  Upper  Part  of  the  City. 


DOCUMENT  No.j83.— JANUARY,  2,1852 


I 


NEW  YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  W.  H.  TIXSOX,  22  SPRUCE  STREET. 
1853. 


lEx  Safaris 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


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DOCUMENT  No.  83. 


BOARD  OF  ALDER M*E N , 

JANUAEY  2,  1852. 


The  following  report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Parks, 
in  relation  to  laying  out  a  new  park  in  the  upper  part 
of  the  city,  was  received,  laid  on  the  table,  and  ordered 
to  be  printed. 

D.  T.  VALENTINE,  Clerk 


The  Special  Committee  on  Public  Parks,  beg  leave  re- 
spectfully to 

REPORT: 

That  they  were  appointed  under  the  following  resolution 
of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  of  August  5th,  1851,  and  that 
to  them  was  also  referred,  on  the  ayes  and  noes,  the  fol- 
lowing subsequent  resolution  of  August  7th,  1851 : 

"  Whereas,  The  Legislature,  at  its  recent  extra  session, 
passed  an  act,  authorizing  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 


433 
.MS 

J 

Doc.  No.  S3.)  1460 

Commonalty  of  this  city  to  purchase  or  take,  through 
Commissioners  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose,  the 
ground  lying  between  the  Third  avenue  and  East  river, 
and  Sixty-sixth  and  Seventy-fifth  streets ;  and  also  that 
lying  between  Avenue  A,  and  the  East  river,  and  Sixty- 
fourth  and  Sixty-sixth  streets,  to  remain,  and  be  used 
hereafter  as  a  public  park." 

"  And  whereas,  Public  opinion  seems  to  demand  that 
the  City  Government,  in  carrying  into  effect  the  object 
contemplated  by  the  act  referred  to,  should  adopt  the 
most  liberal  and  enlightened  measures,  in  order  to  make 
.  the  proposed  pleasure  ground,  in  its  locality,  conveniently 
i  accessible  to  all — in  its  dimension,  equal  to  the  present 
and  prospective  wants  of  a  great  and  rapidly  increasing 
city — and,  in  its  future  establishment,  corresponding  to 
the  wealth  and  greatness  of  this  commercial  metropolis  ; 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Special  Committee 
of  this  Board,  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  advantages 
and  disadvantages  of  the  ground  designated  in  the  act  of 
the  Legislature ;  and  also,  whether  there  be  not  a  better 
locality  for  such  park,  with  comparison  of  size,  capacity 
for  rural  embellishment,  general  topographical  features, 
and  probable  cost  of  each ;  and,  also,  whether  it  be  not 
advisable  to  include  within  the  limits  of  such  purchase, 
ground  for  the  new  reservoir ;  and,  generally,  all  such 
facts  and  inferences  as  may  enable  the  Common  Council 
to  proceed  understanding^  in  a  matter  involving  so  large 
an  expenditure  of  the  public  money,  and  so  important  in 
ijs  influence  upon  the  present  and  future  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  city. 


1461 


(Doc.  No.  83. 


"  Board  of  Aldermen,  August  5th,  1851.  Adopted, 
and  Aldermen  Dodge,  Dooley  and  Britton  appointed 
such  Committee. 

(Signed)      J.  M.  WILSON,  . 

Deputy  Clerk. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Counsel  of  the  Corporation  be, 
and  he  is  hereby  directed  to  take  the  necessary  legal 
measures  for  the  appointment  of  Commissioners  of  Esti- 
mate and  Assessment,  for  the  laying  out  of  a  public 
park,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  relative  to  the  powers  and 
duties  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  the  matter  of  taking  possession  of 
and  laying  out  certain  lands  for  a  public  park  in  the 
Nineteeenth  Ward  of  said  city,  passed  July  11th,  1851, 
forthwith." 

"  Board  of  Aldermen,  August  7th,  1851,  referred  to 
Special  Committee  on  a  new  park  on  ayes  and  noes. 

"  (Signed)       J.  M.  WILSON, 

"Deputy  Clerk." 

In  compliance  with  the  directions  of  the  resolution  ap- 
pointing said  Committee,  they  have  endeavored  to  make 
themselves  fully  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  which  have 
any  bearing  upon  the  matter  committed  to  them,  and  they 
are  fully  impressed  with  the  importance  to  the  present 
and  future  inhabitants  of  the  city,  that  they  should  present 
such  a  careful  and  comprehensive  view  of  the  whole  sub- 
ject, as  may  enable  your  Honorable  Body  to  judge 
whether  the  opinions  your  Committee  have  formed  are 
correct,  and  whether  their  suggestions  should  be  adopted. 

The  city  of  New  York  is  now,  and  probably  will  ever 
be,  the  metropolis  of  America ;  it  is  already  one  of  the 


Doc.  No.  83.) 


1462 


first  cities  of  the  world  in  point  of  population,  wealth, 
commercial  importance  and  beauty  ;  and  its  geographical 
position,  and  other  circumstances  are  such,  as  must  con- 
tinually increase  its  importance  in  all  these  respects. 
This  island  city,  steadily  increasing  at  a  ratio  of  ten  per 
cent,  per  annum  in  population,  must  soon  be  closely  in- 
habited throughout  its  entire  extent. 

It  has  ever  been  considered,  in  all  large  cities,  an  im- 
portant duty  for  those  intrusted  with  authority,  to  provide 
for  the  health  of  present  and  future  citizens,  and  their 
recreation,  by  setting  apart  for  public  grounds,  even  at 
considerable  expense,  certain  spacious  tracts,  which  may 
be  laid  out  into  extensive  walks  and  drives,  and  from 
time  to  time  beautified  by  the  tasteful  turning  to  account 
of  the  resources  of  the  natural  scenery  and  decorations  of 
art.  Accordingly,  the  most  beautiful  and  useful  features 
of  the  cities  of  the  Old  World  are  the  extensive  and  or- 
namented grounds,  to  which  large  portions  of  the  popu- 
lation daily  (and  more  particularly  on  the  public  holi- 
days,) resort  for  their  healthful  recreation.  Our  beautiful 
city  is  entirely  unprovided  with  anything  of  this  kind,, 
on  a  scale  at  all  commensurate  with  its  wants  or  its  gran- 
deur in  other  respects  ;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that 
it  is  the  only  large  city  on  this  continent  which  is  thus 
destitute  of  these  openings  which  are  very  appropriately 
termed  the  "  Lungs  of  Cities." 

Your  Committee  is  directed  "  to  examine,  and  report 
upon  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  the  ground  de- 
signated in  the  act  of  the  Legislature  ;  and  also  whether 
there  be  not  a  better  locality  for  such  park,  with  compa- 
rison of  size,-  capacity  for  rural  embellishments,  general 


UG3 


(Doc.  Xo.  S3. 


topographical  features,  and  probable  cost  of  each ;  and 
also,  whether  it  be  not  advisable  to  include,  within  the 
limits  of  such  purchase,  ground  for  the  new  reservoir." 

In  the  examination  of  these  different  points,  your  Com- 
mittee find,  in  the  second  branch  of  their  inquiry,  a 
second  proposition  distinctly  referred  to,  as  probably  pre- 
senting superior  advantages  of  locality,  etc.,  and  identi- 
fying it  as  the  plot  of  ground,  including  within  its  limits 
the  site  of  the  proposed  new  reservoir. 

Your  Committee  therefore  consider,  that  two  distinct 
propositions  are  before  them,  and  will  proceed  to  make 
the  required  comparisons  as  faithfully  and  as  briefly  as 
their  determination  to  do  full  justice  to  so  important  a 
matter  will  permit. 

The  first  proposition  is,  for  the  city  to  purchase  a  piece 
of  woodland  known  as  "  Jones'  Woods,"  on  the  extreme 
eastern  shore  of  this  island.  44  The  total  area  of  this  pro- 
posed park,  bounded  by  Sixty -fourth  street,  from  the 
East  river  to  avenue  A ;  by  Avenue  A,  from  Sixty- 
fourth  to  Sixty-sixth  street ;  by  Sixty-sixth  street,  from 
Avenue  A  to  the  Third  avenue  ;  by  the  Third  avenue, 
from  Sixty-sixth  to  Seventy-fifth  streets,  and  by  Seventy- 
fifth  street,  from  the  Third  avenue  to  the  East  river  :  and 
by  the  East  river  from  Seventy-fifth  street  to  Sixty-fourth 
street,  is  6,944,860  square  feet,  or  159  yVW  acres." 

The  Common  Council  propose  to  exclude  from  the 
above  an  irregular  projection  of  six  acres,  between  Sixty- 
fourth  and  Sixty-sixth  streets  and  Avenue  A  and  the 
river.    This  will  reduce  the  area  to  153  TVo2o  acres. 


Doc.  xSTo.  83.) 


1404 


The  second  proposition  is,  for  the  city  to  purchase  a 
certain  tract  of  land,  situated  in  the  geographical  centre 
of  this  Island,  and  bounded  by  the  Fifth  and  Eighth  ave- 
nues, on  the  east  and  west,  and  by  Sixtieth  and  One  hun- 
dred and  sixth  streets,  on  the  south  and  north  limits,  con- 
taining a  superh'cial  area  of  759§  acres. 

Both  these  plots  are  well  adapted  to  the  uses  proposed, 
and  are  the  only  plots  of  any  considerable  extent  con- 
venient for  the  purpose,  that  are  at  all  available.  But, 
as  it  is  not  proposed  for  the  city  to  purchase  and  improve 
both  these  plots,  your  Committee  have  prepared  a  care- 
ful, and  they  believe  a  just  comparison  of  the  advantages 
of  each,  in  discussing  which,  for  the  sake  of  convenience, 
the  first  will  be  spoken  of  as  "  Jones  Park"  and  the 
second  as  "  Central  Park" 

The  comparative  advantages  of  each  of  these  sites,  will 
be  shown  in  respect  to  the  following  considerations,  viz : 


1.  Extent  

2.  Convenience  or  Locality 

3.  Availability  

4.  Pkobable  Cost  


page. 
1464 

1469 

1470 

1478 


EXTENT. 

When  a  city  proposes  to  itself  an  improvement  of  this 
kind,  involving  a  very  considerable  expense,  it  is  impor- 
tant that  the  ground  secured  should  be  sufficiently  spa- 
cious for  the  purposes,  not  only  of  the  present  generation, 
but  of  a  very  numerous  posterity. 


1465  (Doc.  No.  83. 

The  superficial  area  proposed  to  be  enclosed  in  Jones'* 
Park,  is  153TVo2o  acres.  It  is  nearly  square,  and  about 
half  a  mile  in  extent  on  each  side.  If  we  deduct  the 
space  to  be  occupied  by  streets  and  avenues,  there  remains 
about  105  acres  to  be  purchased. 

The  superficial  area  proposed  to  be  enclosed  in  Central 
Park,  is  759f  acres.  It  is  in  form  an  elongated  paral- 
lelogram, about  two  and  a  quarter  miles  long  and  about 
a  half  mile  wide.  It  embraces  the  present  Receiving 
Keservoir  of  33  acres — the  grounds  of  the  State  Arsenal 
and  of  the  St.  Vincent  Academy,  about  24  acres — and 
ground  now  owned  by  the  Corporation,  135  acres ;  in  all, 
566 J  acres,  including  streets  and  avenues,  deducting  for 
which  190^  acres,  leaves  an  area  of  3 76 \  acres  to  be 
purchased. 

Central  Parle  will  therefore  have  a  superficial  area 
four  and  three  quarter  times  as  great  as  Jones'*  Park. 

This  city,  increasing  in  population  at  the  rate  of  ten 
per  cent,  per  annum,  must,  before  the  end  of  the  present 
half  century,  number  several  millions,  a  small  propor- 
tion of  which  will  throng  a  place  so  limited  as  Jones' 
Pari',  but  be  very  amply  accommodated  in  Central 
Park,  of  nearly  five  times  the  extent. 

Central  Park  would  probably  be  one  of  the  largest 
city  parks  in  the  world,  buknot  too  large  for  the  use  of  a 
city  destined,  in  all  human  probability,  to  equal,  and 
perhaps  to  exceed  in  population  every  other.  It  must  be 
noted  that  the  City  Government  has  already  appropriated 
about  one  fifth  of  this  tract  for  purposes  of  reservoirs, 
which,  being  artificial  lakes,  contribute  perhaps  as  much 


Doc.  No.  83.) 


1466 


as  any  other  feature  to  the  beauty  and  value  of  public 
grounds. 

The  most  beautiful  feature  of  a  large  park,  and  a  most 
important  advantage  over  a  small  one,  is,  that  the  large 
park  is  capable,  from  its  extent,  of  being  laid  out  into  a 
very  great  length  of  serpentine  road,  which  a  judicious 
engineer  can  so  contrive  as  not  only  to  produce  startling 
effects  of  the  distant  landscape,  and  also  to  bring  the  pecu- 
liar natural  and  artificial  beauties  of  the  place  into  the 
best  points  of  view,  but,  at  the  same  time,  to  turn  and 
wind  this  road  through  the  place,  so  as  to  allow  a  very 
long  drive  through  constantly  varying  scenery.  A  ser- 
pentine road  of  more  than  twenty-five  miles  in  extent 
can  be  wound  through  the  spacious  grounds  of  Central 
Park,  as  your  Committee  is  informed  by  competent  en- 
gineers. This  important  consideration  does  not,  however, 
apply  to  Jones*  Park,  which  is,  in  itself,  too  limited  to 
allow  of  any  great  length  of  drive  under  any  circum- 
stances. The  Second  avenue  is  now  being  opened,  and 
must,  for  several  reasons,  be  carried  through  Jones' 
Woods.  This  will  divide  the  grounds  into  two  small  and 
unequal  portions,  and  so  cut  them  up  as  to  prevent  the  in- 
troduction of  serpentine  roads  to  any  considerable  length. 

Another  important  consideration  depending  upon  the 
extent  of  a  park,  is  the  fact  that  ornamental  grounds  at- 
tract upon  their  borders  ornamental  structures  in  the  way 
of  public  buildings  for  institutions  of  learning,  acade- 
mies of  the  fine  arts,  buildings  devoted  to  geology,  bo- 
tany, astronomy  and  other  sciences,  monuments  of  na- 
tional greatness  and  patriotism,  &c. 

This  is  found  to  be  the  case  in  London,  where,  in  addi- 


1467  (Doc.  Xo.  83. 


tion  to  the  public  institutions,  rows  of  elegant  private 
houses,  the  residences  of  wealth}'  citizens,  have  added  to 
the  architectural  beauties  of  the  borders  of  St.  James', 
Regents'  and  Hyde  Parks.  This  principle  will  apply 
here  more  particularly,  where  fine  sites  for  public  and 
private  buildings  are  in  demand. 

This  latter  consideration  is  of  more  importance,  when 
we  consider  that  Central  Park  is  of  sufficient  size  to 
permit  the  selling  off  for  the  above  purposes  of  portions 
of  its  border.  These  sites  being  desirable,  will  command 
large  prices,  and  reduce  the  expense  of  the  original  cost, 
and  furnish,  from  time  to  time,  by  sales  or  by  leases,  a 
sufficient  sum  to  pay,  if  desirable,  a  portion  of  the  ex- 
penses of  the  keeping  and  decoration  of  the  park.  The 
great  extent  of  boundary  of  Central  Park  favors  this 
view  of  the  matter,  presenting,  as  it  does,  five  miles  and 
a  half  for  such  improvements — while  Jones'  Park  pre- 
sents a  comparatively  small  border  of  a  mile  and  a  half, 
deducting  the  river  front,  and  is  not  in  a  part  of  the  city 
where  such  improvements  would  seek  sites  :  whereas,- 
Centred  Peirk  is  in  that  part  of  the  city  where  such  in- 
stitutions would  be  favorably  located,  and  on  its  borders 
are  already  to  be  found  the  State  Arsenal,  Mount  St. 
Vincent  (young  ladies')  Academy,  &c.  The  importance 
of  this  consideration  is  further  discussed  under  the  head 
of  Cost. 

The  situation  of  Jones*  Park  is  such,  that  it  would  be 
a  special  benefit  only  to  the  property  in  its  immediate 
neighborhood  on  three  sides,  of  about  half  a  mile  each. 
Should  such  property  so  benefited,  be  assessed,  as  pro- 
vided in  the  act  of  the  Legislature  for  taking  such  park, 
in  proportion,  say  one-third  of  the  whole  purchase  money, 


Doc.  TsTo.  83.) 


1468 


the  quantity  of  such  property  specially  benefited  and 
specially  assessed  being  very  limited,  the  amount  of  as- 
sessment would  be  very  onerous  upon  that  small  neigh- 
borhood, and  probably  more  than  the  property  could 
bear ;  therefore,  the  difference  between  what  should  be 
assessed  and  what  could  be  borne  would  have  to  be  added 
to  the  amount  paid  from  the  city  treasury,  which  would 
be  equivalent  to  a  tax  upon  the  whole  city,  to  improve 
the  value  of  the  property  of  a  few  individuals,  by  making 
a  park  in  a  one-sided,  out-of-the-way  locality,  w^here  it 
would  not  be  generally  accessible. 

Apply  the  same  considerations  to  Central  Park,  and 
it  appears  that,  owing  to  its  greater  extent,  and  central 
position,  the  quantity  of  property  that  would  be  benefited 
and  enhanced  in  value  by  the  making  of  the  park  is  so 
great,  that  an  assessment  to  pay  one-third,  one-half,  or 
even  the  whole  of  the  purchase  money,  would  scarcely 
be  felt.  The  special  benefit  would  be  sensible  to  pro- 
perty around  the  Central  Park  for  a  great  distance  in 
all  directions,  and  owners  of  property  would  probably 
come  forward  themselves  and  cheerfully  subscribe  a  large 
portion  of  the  purchase  money  and  not  feel  it,  if  such  a 
proceeding  could  be  permitted  in  a  case  where  the  benefit 
would  be  general  to  the  whole  city. 

This  view  of  the  subject,  which  your  Committee  is  as- 
sured is  correct,  shows  most  conclusively  that  considera- 
tions of  justice,  as  well  as  of  economy,  decide  against 
the  location  of  Jones*  Park  as  strongly  as  they  uphold 
the  location  of  Central  Park.  This  consideration  will 
be  found  noticed  under  its  proper  head  of  Cost. 

In  view  of  all  these  considerations,  your  Committee 


» 


1469  '  (Doc.  No.  83. 

find  that  the  proposition  of  Central  Parle  is  greatly  to 
be  preferred,  as  not  only  the  most  extensive,  but  because 
Jones'  Park  is  not  sufficiently  extensive  for  present  and 
future  purposes. 

CONVENIENCE  OF  LOCALITY. 

The  city  limits  embrace  the  entire  island  of  Xew  York ; 
its  population  will  undoubtedly  before  many  years  cover 
the  whole  extent  of  its  surface. 

In  providing  a  park,  the  convenience  of  those  who 
will  live  here,  after  ourselves,  must  be  considered.  For  a 
place  of  public  resort,  the  most  central  locality  is  most 
unquestionably  to  be  preferred,  other  considerations  being 
equal. 

Jones'  Park  and  Central  Park  are  in  position  nearly 
equally  central  with  respect  to  the  northern  and  southern 
points  of  the  island,  but  Jones'  Park  is  on  the  extreme 
eastern  shore,  and  to  the  eastward  of  the  Third  avenue, 
which  is  the  farthest  east  of  all  the  thoroughfares  in  the 
city.  It  is  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  great  thorough- 
fares of  Broadway  and  Eighth  avenue. 

Central  Park,  on  the  contrary,  is  centrally  situated  be- 
tween the  two  rivers,  and  between  the  four  great  tho- 
roughfares of  the  island,  viz  :  Third  and  Fourth  avenues 
on  the  eastern  side,  and  Broadway  and  Eighth  avenue  on 
the  western  side.  Between  Central  Park  and  both  rivers 
there  will  be  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  on  each  side. 

People  from  the  northern  portion  of  the  island  would, 
to  reach  the  northern  boundary  of  Jones'  Park,  be  obliged 


Doc.  No.  83.)  1470 

to  travel  more  than  a  mile  further  south,  and  a  mile  fur- 
ther east,  than  would  he  necessary,  to  arrive  within  the 
limits  of  Central  Park. 

Again,  Central  Pari'  is  but  half  a  mile  wide,  and  is 
situated  about  midway  between  the  east  and  west  shores 
of  the  island,  having  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  on 
each  side  of  it  for  ordinary  city  purposes,  leaving  suffi- 
cient space  for  a  large  population  on  each  side,  which  the 
advantage  of  the  proximity  of  the  park  would  attract, 
and  induce  them  to  build  up  that  part  of  the  city,  prob- 
ably as  densely  as  any  other  part. 

In  view  of  the  above  considerations,  your  committee 
think  the  location  of  Jones'  Park  is  out  of  the  way,  and 
very  inconvenient,  while,  for  convenience  of  locality,  the 
site  of  Central  Park  is  shown  to  be  all  that  can  be  desired. 

AVAILABILITY. 

Under  this  head  will  be  found  comparisons  of"  capa- 
city for  rural  embellishments,"  and  of  "  general  topogra- 
phical features." 

The  plot  of  land  proposed  for  Jones'  Park  is  153 \ 
acres.  The  Second  avenue  must  be  extended  through 
this  plot,  otherwise  all  intercourse  between  the  part  of 
the  city  north  and  south  of  it  must  be  by  way  of  the 
Third  avenue,  a  very  roundabout  course.  If  this  avenue 
is  not  opened,  the  public  is  deprived  of  an  important 
thoroughfare  ;  if  it  is  opened,  it  injures  the  park  by  pre- 
venting an  extension  of  serpentine  road  with  any  advan- 
tage. The  opening  of  that  avenue  also  takes  from  the 
park  five  acres,  thus  reducing  its  extent  to  148J  acres. 


1471 


(Doc.  Ho.  83, 


Tins  plot  of  ground  is  nearly  square  in  form,  and  about 
half  a  mile  on  each  side  ;  it  borders  on  the  East  river, 
on  its  eastern  side,  which  forms  a  bold  shore,  and  from 
which  can  be  had  a  very  pretty  view  of  the  river,  of 
BlackwelPs  Island  and  the  opposite  shore. 

Its  surface  is  gently  undulating,  and  does  not  present 
any  variety  of  scenery  within  itself,  nor  any  landscape 
view,  except  that  abovementioned. 

It  is  covered  with  a  very  thick  and  heavy  growth  of 
forest  trees,  most  of  them  exceedingly  lofty,  except  on 
the  western  border  and  part  of  the  southern  side,  where 
there  are  some  good  shade  trees. 

The  plot  of  ground  proposed  to  be  included  in  Central 
Park  embraces  the  land  between  Sixtieth  street  on  the 
south,  One  hundred  and  sixth  street  on  the  north,  Fifth 
avenue  on  the  east,  and  Eighth  avenue  on  the  west.  It 
contains  a  superficial  area  of  75 9|  acres,  embracing  the 
present  receiving  reservoir  of  33  acres,  and  the  grounds 
of  the  State  Arsenal,  and  also  of  St.  Yincent's  Academy, 
of  24  acres ;  the  proposed  new  reservoir  to  cover  an  area 
of  98  acres.  The  surface  is  exceedingly  diversified ;  all 
the  lands  within  its  limits  are  among  the  most  uneven 
and  rocky  on  the  island.  In  some  places  the  elevations 
rise  from  100  to  140  feet  above  tide  water,  in  others  being 
only  a  few  feet  above  the  same. 

The  topographical  map  accompanying  this  document 
shows  very  numerous  abrupt  and  rocky  elevations,  inter- 
sected constantly  by  ravines  and  gentle  valleys,  through 
which  run  several  small  streams  of  living  water.  As  a 
general  rule,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  northern  ex- 


Doc.  No.  83.) 


1172 


tremity,  this  plot  of  ground  forms  a  basin  with  a  very 
uneven  bottom,  lying  between  the  Eighth  and  Fifth  ave- 
nues. From  the  Eighth  avenue  there  is  a  natural  sloping 
grade  to  the  North  river ;  and  from  the  Fifth  avenue,  a 
general  corresponding  slope  to  the  East  river.  The 
northern  portion  attains  an  elevation  of  140  feet,  com- 
manding an  extensive  view  of  all  the  surrounding  country. 

Notwithstanding  its  great  extent  and  central  position, 
there  are  very  few  improvements,  such  as  private  dwell- 
ing houses,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  not  desirable  to  own 
the  lots  on  which  assessments  for  grading  the  streets  will 
be  very  heavy,  and  sufficient  to  effect  a  forfeiture  of  the 
property.  The  value  of  existing  improvements  will  be 
found  under  the  head  of  Cost. 

Central  Park  will  include  grounds  almost  entirely 
useless  for  building  purposes,  owing  to  the  very  uneven 
and  rocky  surface,  and  also  to  its  lying  so  far  below  the 
proper  grade  of  the  streets  as  to  render  the  grading  very 
costly  ;  for  instance,  to  extend  Sixth  avenue  from  Sixty- 
fifth  street  to  Seventy-third  street  it  would  be  necessary 
to  build  an  embankment,  principally  of  masonry  (with 
culverts  to  discharge  the  water)  from  20  to  40  feet  in 
height.  This  would  leave  the  lots  on  either  side  utterly 
valueless  for  any  purpose  of  ordinary  improvement,  un- 
less it  should  be  built  up  in  the  same  way,  or  filled  in  to 
nearly  the  same  level.  The  expense  of  grading  the 
streets  through  these  grounds  will  be  found  under  the 
head  of  Cost.  From  it  will  appear  that  the  grading  alone 
will  cost  more  than  twice  the  present  value  of  the  lands. 

This  expense  of  grading,  in  the  event  of  the  land  being 
appropriated  to  a  park,  will  be  wholly  saved,  as  the  very 


1473 


(Doc.  Xo.  S3. 


circumstances,  which  render  the  grading  so  expensive 
are  an  advantage  for  the  purposes  of  a  park.  It  must 
also  be  considered  that  the  lands  can  be  purchased  at  a 
very  low  value  for  the  causes  above  stated,  and  will  be 
not  only  valuable  for  park  purposes,  but  more  valuable 
for  those  purposes  than  good  smooth  building  land. 

There  is  no  section  on  our  island,  of  equal  size,  so  well 
adapted  by  nature,  or  so  susceptible  of  improvement  and 
adornment,  for  purposes  of  a  large  park,  as  the  one  now 
under  consideration ;  and  none  so  diversified  in  surface, 
abounding  so  much  in  hill  and  dale,  and  intersected  by 
so  many  natural  streams.  The  elevations,  in  some  parts, 
rising  to  140  feet  above  tide  water,  and  the  valleys,  in 
some  parts,  being  40  feet  below  the  grade  of  surrounding 
streets.  These  valleys  contain  running  streams  and  nu- 
merous springs,  and  at  a  small  cost  can  be  converted, 
where  desirable,  into  artificial  lakes,  and  supplied  with 
water  to  any  extent,  from  the  never  failing  source  of  the 
Croton  aqueduct,  which  will  also  supply  fountains  in  any 
part  of  the  grounds  with  a  profusion  of  water,  which  will 
render  fountains  a  distinguishing  feature,  and  one  in 
which  this  park  will  have  a  superiority  over  all  other 
parks,  owing  to  the  im  equaled  supply  of  water  from  the 
greatest  aqueduct  of  ancient  or  modern  times.  The  great, 
and  at  many  points  abrupt,  difference  of  level  of  the  sur- 
face, and  the  projecting  points  of  rock,  render  these 
grounds  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  construction  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  varied  roads, — now  winding  around  the 
base  of  a  projecting  rocky  hill,  now  traversing  the  bottom 
of  a  valley,  now  climbing  a  gentle  hill, — again  descending 
to  the  low  lands,  passing  along  the  margin  of  a  beautiful 
quiet  lake ;  leaving  this,  and  ascending  above  Eighty- 


Doc.  Xo.  S3.)  1474 

sixth  street,  the  road  will  pass  along  what  will  be  one  of 
the  greatest  of  modern  works  of  art, — the  proposed  new 
reservoir,  a  picturesque,  irregularly  shaped  artificial  lake, 
containing  nearly  100  acres  of  water  in  one  placid  sheet. 
Continuing  to  rise,  gradually  winding  around  elevations 
through  gentle  valleys,  the  serpentine  road  will  reach  the 
top  of  Harlem  heights  at  about  One  hundred  and  fitth 
6treet,  having  attained  the  highest  land  on  the  island 
south  of  Fort  Washington,  and  from  which  a  magnificent 
view  is  presented  to  the  beholder  in  every  direction. 
From  this  point  may  be  seen  nearly  all  the  present  city 
lying  to  the  south,  and  the  bay  beyond  it ;  the  interve- 
ning district  rapidly  improving  to  the  southern  margin  of 
the  park,  and  when  it  is  finished. — the  park  itself  extend- 
ing from  its  southern  border  two  miles  to  the  feet  of  the 
beholder,  intersected  by  beautiful  artificial  lakes  of 
various  sizes ;  by  small  streams,  crossed  by  numerous 
marble  or  rustic  bridges ;  by  beautiful  groves  of  trees  of 
every  variety,  indigenous  and  exotic  ;  by  serpentine  roads 
winding  through  velvet  lawns  decorated  with  sparkling 
fountains,  and  the  whole  surrounded  by  architectural 
works  of  every  order  and  variety.  Looking  to  the  west, 
will  be  seen  the  noble  Hudson,  extending  from  the  bay 
(which  can  be  seen  as  far  as  the  Narrows)  up  to  the  Pa- 
lisades in  the  distance,  and  the  mountains  in  the  interior 
of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  extreme  west.  Looking 
in  a  northerly  direction,  can  be  seen,  across  the  Harlem 
river,  the  High  Bridge,  a  magnificent  structure,  which 
brings  the  Croton  water  to  this  island,  and  the  other 
bridges,  which  connect  Xew  York  with  the  county  of 
'Westchester,  which  presents  to  our  view  its  fertile  farms, 
beautiful  gardens,  and  tasteful  villas,  and  thriving 
villages. 


147;)  (Doc.  No,  83. 

The  eastern  view  embraces  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  state  of  Connecticut  and  of  the  Sound,  separating  it 
from  Long  Island,  also  the  East  river,  studded  with  is- 
lands, running  from  Hellgate  to  Governors  Island,  and 
separating  this  city  from  the  shore  of  Long  Island,  which 
shows  us  Flushing,  Astoria,  Ravenswood,  Greenport, 
Bushwick,  AVilliamsburgh,  Brooklyn,  6zc.  Having  com- 
pleted the  view,  of  which  only  some  of  the  most  striking 
points  are  here  noted,  we  return  to  the  road,  which  takes 
us  to  the  lower  end  of  the  park  by  a  different,  but  not 
less  varied  route,  having  travelled  a  distance  of  not  less 
than  twenty-five  miles. 

The  above  is  a  very  imperfect  and  inadequate  descrip- 
tion of  the  kind  of  park  which  may  be  constructed  on  the 
ground  selected  for  Central  Parl\  or  in  other  words,  its 
waUabUi&y.  The  availability  of  Jones'  Parle  has  also 
been  considered :  it  possesses  very  few  of  the  advantages 
of  Central  Pari',  and  where  it  possesses  these  advanta- 
ges, it  is  to  a  very  limited  extent. 

The  fact  of  Jones*  Pari:  bordering  on  the  river  for  half 
a  mile,  and  having  a  fine  water  view,  is  certainly  a  very 
great  advantage ;  but  your  Committee  think,  that  is  more 
than  counterbalanced  by  the  lake  scenery  incidental  to, 
and  which  forms  so  important  a  feature  in  Central  Pari', 
which  must  have  a  water  shore  of  at  least  one  and  a  half 
miles  of  reservoir  margin.  Besides,  it  must  be  recollected 
that  the  very  same  view  that  occurs  from  the  bank  of 
Jones'*  Pari',  is  also  had  from  the  high  grounds  of  Cen- 
tral Pari',  which  command  a  greatly  additional  water 
view. 

The  orreat  feature  of  Jones'*  ParTc^  however,  is  its  masr- 
2 


Doc.  No.  83.)  1476 

nificent  forest,  which  almost  entirely  covers  it,  which  is 
peculiar  to  itself,  and  a  supposed  advantage  not  possessed 
in  any  degree  by  Central  Park.  These  forest  trees,  it  is 
stated,  can  be  thinned  out  into  a  grove,  and  the  whole 
laid  out  in  roads,  and  be  immediately  available  as  a  park, 
while  the  trees  to  ornament  Central  Park  would  require 
many  years  to  grow.  This  question  of  time  will  be  con- 
sidered under  its  proper  head,  and  with  respect  to  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  existing  forest,  they  appear  to  be  some- 
what overrated. 

Your  Committee  is  of  opinion  that,  so  far  from  Jones' 
Woods  being  immediately  or  very  soon  available  for  a 
park,  it  will  take  many  years  before  it  can  be  made  so, 
and  nearly  as  long  as  it  will  take  to  grow  or  transplant 
trees  upon  the  ground  of  Central  Park,  which  is  by  no 
means  entirely  destitute  of  trees  at  present. 

In  the  first  place,  the  thinning  out  of  the  trees  of  Jones'1 
Park  must  be  gradually  ^and  carefully  executed,  to  pre- 
vent the  falling  timber  from  destroying  those  trees  which 
are  intended  to  be  preserved.  They  now  stand  so  thick 
that  probably  eight  out  of  every  ten  must  be  cut  down  ; 
to  remove  them  properly  will  require  much  time  and  ex- 
pense. 

Secondly. — When  the  excess  of  trees  is  removed,  it 
will  be  found  that  lower  branches  are  wanting  to  nearly 
all  the  trees,  to  the  height  of  from  40  to  60  feet.  These 
lower  limbs  will  immediately  commence  growing,  as  is 
desirable  for  shade.  This  new  demand  for  nourishment 
nearer  the  root  of  the  tree,  cuts  off  the  supply  of  sap 
which  sustained  its  top,  and  the  tree-top  must  be  cut  off 
to  prevent  it  from  dying  off.    This  will  leave  a  not  very 


1477 


(Doc.  Nbv83. 


beautiful  or  desirable  grove  of  long  poles  and  trunks, 
from  30  to  40  feet  in  height,  and  without  shade  for  some 
years. 

During  the  same  time  Central  Parle,  which  has  already 
some  beautiful  trees,  can  be  furnished,  by  transplanting, 
with  all  the  desirable  additional  trees,  except  those  which 
should  be  raised  from  nursery  saplings,  which  will  attain, 
in  from  8  to  12  years,  a  very  vigorous  growth,  sufficient 
to  give  as  much  shade,  where  shade  is  desirable,  as  in 
nearly  the  same  time  could  be  given  by  the  new  growth 
branches  of  the  Jones'  Park  trees. 

Central  Park  will  be  furnished,  of  course,  with  a  very 
choice  assortment  and  great  variety  of  new  trees,  much 
more  ornamental,  and  casting  a  more  agreeable  shade 
than  the  natural  forest  trees.  It  must  also  be  remem- 
bered that  very  large  trees  can  be  transplanted,  at  the 
proper  season  of  the  year,  and,  if  properly  taken  up  and 
replanted,  never  fail  to  thrive  in  the  new  ground  success- 
fully. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  those  who  have  laid  out  new  parks 
and  ornamental  grounds,  that  a  natural  forest  is  no  ad- 
vantage whatever;  and  all  new  parks  should  be  furnished 
by  growing  or  transplanting  such  trees  as  are  required 
in  different  parts  of  the  grounds,  which  may  generally 
be  cultivated  in  almost  any  shape  required,  by  proper 
care,  and  cutting  the  branches.  Besides,  a  proper  variety 
of  park  scenery  requires  that  certain  large  portions  should 
be  improved  as  sloping  lawns,  or  mounds  for  statuary 
and  monuments,  and  points  of  view  for  distant  land- 
scapes— all  of  which  allow  of  no  trees  whatever. 


Doc.  No.  83.) 


U7S 


The  consideration  of  the  health  of  the  public,  requires 
that  the  low  ground  and  unhealthy  ponds,  situated  in  the 
district  to  be  included  in  Central  Park,  should  be  ren- 
dered innocuous  by  some  improvement ;  whereas,  Jones1 
Park  being  high  ground  and  open  to  the  river,  is  per- 
fectly healthy  as  it  is. 

It  must  be  noted,  as  an  objection  to  making  Jones' 
Park,  that  half  a  mile  of  valuable  river  front  will  thereby 
be  forever  abstracted  from  commercial  uses.  The  rapid 
growth  of  this  city,  and  its  commercial  character  being 
its  distinctive  feature,  it  would  seem  to  forbid  the  dimi- 
nution of  its  river  front,  which  will  eventually,  and  prob- 
ably very  soon,  be  in  demand  along  this  part  of  the  city. 

It  is  also  to  be  noted  that,  should  it  be  desirable  to 
open  certain  streets  across  Central  Park  for  the  public 
convenience,  the  city  government  will  always  have  the 
right  to  do  so,  and  it  will  not  injure  the  park  in  the  least, 
nor  is  there  any  objection  topographically  to  opening 
Seventy-second,  Seventy-ninth,  (Eighty-sixth  is  open,) 
and  Ninety-sixth  streets,  those  being  all  100  feet  wide, 
which  will  divide  the  park  into  five  equal  parts. 

From  the  above,  it  appears  that  on  every  consideration 
of  availability  Central  Park  is  superior  to  Jones'  Park. 

PROBABLE  COST. 

The  cost  of  a  public  work  is  a  matter  of  the  first  con- 
sideration ;  but,  on  reflection,  it  will  be  conceded  that 
few  public  works  can  be  of  more  importance,  at  the  same 
cost,  than  public  parks,  and  that,  when  a  public  park  is 
wanted,  it  is  cheap  at  any  reasonable  price,  money  being 


1479 


(Doc.  N...  n3. 


well  expended  on  a  place  devoted  to  the  general  health, 
exercise,  innocent  recreation,  and  to  the  elevation  of  the 
mind  by  the  cultivation  of  a  fondness  for  the  beauties  of 
nature,  and  appreciation  of  the  appliances  of  art. 

To  appropriate  land  from  the  midst  of  any  city?s  limits, 
must  always  be  a  somewhat  expensive  proceeding.  It 
is  more  especially  so  in  the  city  of  Xew  York,  as  all  the 
lots  have  a  market  value,  based  upon  their  presumed 
future  availability  for  business,  or  for  dwelling  purposes. 

The  comparative  value  of  the  lots  to  be  taken  to  form 
Jones'  Park  and  Central  Pari:,  respectively,  is  given  in 
the  tables  annexed,  by  which  it  appeal's  that  the  lots 
forming  Jones'  Pari:  being  useful  for  building  and  horti- 
cultural purposes,  and  having  valuable  timber  on  them, 
are  worth  very  much  more,  respectively,  than  the  lots  to 
form  Cthtral  Pari,  which,  owing  to  their  rocky  and  un- 
even surface,  and  being  so  far  out  of  grade  as  explained 
more  fully  in  page  1472,  are  generally  of  very  little 
value,  if  any,  for  any  other  than  park  purposes. 

Owing  to  these  causes,  and  because  these  low  grounds, 
intersected  by  pools,  are  unhealthy  for  residences,  they 
are  so  little  improved,  and  those  improvements  of  so 
little  value,  that  it  is  estimated  that  $10,000  or  $15,000 
will  pay  for  such  improvements. 

The  estimated  value  of  the  lots  to  form  Jones'  Pari: 
according  to  table  Xo.  2.  annexed,  is  $700,575,  without 
the  expense  of  grading  the  streets.  Should  the  streets 
be  graded,  the  cost  of  grading  streets  and  avenues  is  es- 
timated at  about  $212,000. 


Doc.  Xo.  83. 


1480 


These  estimates  have  been  prepared  with  great  care 
by  persc'ns  familiar  with  the  subject,  and  perfectly  com- 
petent to  make  them  correctly.  It  cannot  be  supposed 
that  the  estimated  valne  in  this  table  may  be  too  low,  as 
all  the  details  of  estimates  hare  been  submitted  to  others, 
whose  position  requires  them  to  be  fully  conversant  with 
these  values,  and  they  have  pronounced  them  high 
enough.  Xo  per  centage  of  allowance  for  too  low  an 
estimate  is  therefore  calculated,  believing  it  to  be  now 
estimated  at  its  extreme  value. 

The  estimated  value  of  the  lots  to  be  taken  to  form 
Central  Par):,  including  the  ground  to  form  the  reser- 
voir, according  to  table  Xo.  1.  annexed,  is  §1.407,325, 
and  without  the  reservoir,  (1,172,325.  This  is  without 
the  expense  of  grading  the  streets. 

Should  these  streets  be  graded,  the  cost  of  grading 
streets  and  avenues  is  estimated  at  .$616,478. 

It  must  here  be  noted  that  the  Fifth  and  Eighth  avenues 
are  partly  graded,  and  those  parts  excluded  from  this  es- 
timate ;  also,  that  there  is  no  grading  estimated  for  the 
ground  proposed  for  the  reservoir. 

The  value  of  the  lots  included  in  Central  Pari:  has 
been  variously  estimated  by  competent  persons  familiar 
with  the  value  of  real  estate,  at  from  $760,000  to 
1,172,000.  ^Ve  have  taken  the  highest  estimate,  as  fully 
set  forth  in  table  Xo.  1,  in  all  its  details. 

This  estimate  of  value  is  based  upon  the  supposition 
that  the  streets  and  avenues  are  graded  and  regulated. 


1451 


(Doc.  Xo.  S3. 


The  expense  of  regulating  the  streets  and  avenues,  as 
per  table,  is  s«316,47S,  which  should  be  assessed  upon 
such  property.  This  cannot,  however,  be  done,  because 
the  law  provides,  that  no  lot  shall  be  assessed  for  regu- 
lating and  grading,  more  than  one-half  of  its  assessed 
value  upon  the  tax-books ;  and  the  balance  of  the  assess- 
ment upon  that  lot  must  be  paid  from  the  City  Treasury. 

The  assessed  value  to  form  said  park  is  §44*3,000.  By 
the  law  above  quoted,  only  one-half,  or  S223.000  can  be 
assessed  upon  the  land,  and  the  balance,  or  s393.47S 
must  be  paid  from  the  City  Treasury. 

The  details  of  the  estimates  of  many  of  the  lots  in  this 
table  will  show,  that  in  very  many  cases  the  city  will 
have  to  pay  nearly  the  whole  expense  of  regulating  and 
grading  these  lots. 

It  must  here  be  observed,  that  on  -adding  the  above 
§393,478,  which  the  city  must  thus  pay  to  the  lowest  es- 
timate of  $760,000,  gives  1,163,478,  not  varying  much 
from  the  amount  of  the  highest  estimate  of  $1,172,000, 
as  per  table  Xo.  1,  thereby  showing  its  general  correct- 
ness, and  also  that  it  gives  the  full  value  of  the  lots. 

The  value  of  the  lots  included  in  Jones*  Pari'  has  been 
variously  estimated  by  competent  persons  familiar  with 
the  value  of  real  estate,  at  from  64S0.000.  to  700.000. 
"We  have  taken  the  highest  estimate,  as  set  forth  in  table 
Xo.  2  in  detail. 

This  estimate  of  value  is  also  based  upon  the  supposi- 
tion that  the  streets  and  avenues  are  graded. 

The  expense  of  regulating  and  grading  the  streets  and 


Doc.  JSTo.  83.) 


1482 


avenues  as  per  table  "No.  2,  is  $212,000.  This  should  be 
assessed  upon  such  property,  which  cannot  be  done  for 
the  reason  just  before  stated. 

The  assessed  value  of  the  lots  to  form  Jones'  Park  is, 
$105,765,  one-half  of  which  only,  or  $82,8S2  can  be 
assessed  for  regulating  and  grading,  and  the  balance, 
$129,118,  must  be  paid  from  the  City  Treasury. 

It  will  be  seen,  that  on  adding  this  $129,118  to  the 
lowest  estimate  of  $480,000,  we  have  $609,118,  varying 
from  the  estimate  as  per  table  !No.  2,  amounting  to 
$700,000  ;  showing  that  the  assessed  value  of  the  lots  of 
Jones'  Parle  is  comparatively  higher  than  of  Central 
Park.  It  also  shows,  that  the  value  of  the  Jones''  Park 
lots  has  been  over  estimated  in  said  table,  and  that 
$700,000  is  an  extremely  high  valuation,  and,  no  doubt, 
from  $80,000  to  $100,000  more  than  the  property  is 
worth,  being  about  $100  for  each  lot  on  an  average. 

The  Centred  Park  lots,  though  estimated  in  the  tables 
at  a  high  figure  of  value  are,  many  of  them,  not  worth 
their  proportion  of  the  expenses  of  grading,  among  which 
are  very  many,  which  would  be  utterly  worthless,  but  for 
the  operation  of  the  present  unjust  law,  which  makes 
them  valuable  at  the  expense  of  the  city. 

In  this  connection,  your  Committee  would  call  the 
special  attention  of  your  Honorable  Body  to  the  opera- 
tion of  this  act,  which  is  believed  to  be  unknown  to  the 
great  body  of  our  fellow  citizens,  though  it  is  the  cause 
of  a  great  annual  augmentation  of  their  taxes.  If  its 
operation,  or  even  its  existence,  were  generally  known, 
your  Committee  believe  that  its  immediate  repeal  would 


1483 


(Doc.  Xo.  83. 


be  demanded  by  the  entire  community,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  some  persons  who,  having  understood  the  opera- 
tion of  it,  have  realized  large  amounts,  at  the  expense  of 
the  tax  payers  generally,  and  who  have  made  their  cal- 
culations to  realize,  in  tenfold  greater  proportion,  by  the 
regulating  and  grading  of  new  streets. 

The  operation  of  this  law  is  as  follows  :  An  immense 
proportion  *of  the  surface  of  the  central  and  upper  part 
of  the  island  of  Xew  York,  is  of  the  most  uneven 
character.  It  abounds  in  immense  ledges  of  rock,  many 
of  which  project  from  the  main  level,  in  masses  of  many 
acres  in  extent.  Interspersed  among  these  tracts  of  rucks 
are  occasionally  deep  ravines,  and  frequently  valleys  of 
considerable  extent,  varying  in  depth,  lying  mostly  many 
feet  below  the  projected  grade  of  the  streets.  These 
ravines  and  deeper  valleys  having  bottoms  of  rock,  are 
generally  the  deposit  of  water,  which  stagnates,  and  are 
quite  as  impracticable  for  improvements  of  any  descrip- 
tion as  the  rocks.  Until  the  passage  of  the  act  to  which 
your  attention  is  now  directed,  these  lots  had  no  value  of 
any  importance,  nor  have  they  now,  except  to  the  few 
who  operate  in  them,  because  they  understand  the  opera- 
tion of  this  law,  and  because  it  is  not  generally  under- 
stood. This  operation  consists  in  enabling  the  speculator 
to  buy  worthless  lots,  at  a  mere  nominal  value,  and  have 
them  improved  into  very  valuable  lots,  at  the  expense  of 
the  city,  by  providing,  that  no  more  than  one-half  the 
assessed  value  of  any  lot  shall  be  taxed  upon  it  for  the 
regulating  and  grading  of  the  street  it  is  on.  It  hap- 
pens, that  the  expense  of  regulating  and  grading  is,  in  a 
very  great  many  cases,  greater  than  half  the  assessed 
value  of  the  lots,  and  in  many  cases,  forty,  sixty  and  one 


Doc.  No.  83.)  1484 

hundred  times  greater,  so  that  the  more  from  the  grade 
of  the  street,  or  the  more  rocky  or  low  such  lot  may  be, 
the  less  valuable  it  is,  and  the  less  it  can  pay  towards 
the  expense  of  grading  and  regulating,  which  brings  it 
immediately  into  market,  at  a  nearly  equal  value  with 
the  lots  in  the  neighborhood,  which  may  have  paid  their 
proportion  of  regulating  and  grading. 

In  this  connection,  it  is  also  proper  to  call  the  attention 
of  your  Honorable  Body,  and  of  citizens  generally,  to  a 
proceeding  which  has  grown  into  a  custom,  (by  the  un- 
faithfulness of  public  officers,)  more  oppressive,  because  it 
involves  greater  annual  amounts  than  the  above.  Your 
Committee  refers  to  the  practice  of  the  assessors,  who  have 
been  for  years  in  the  habit  of  assessing  the  up-town  unim- 
proved property  at  rates  of  from  one-third  to  one-half  of 
its  real  known  value.  This  assessing  of  values  so  much 
too  low,  besides  the  manifest  injustice  of  partial  taxation, 
operates  most  unfairly  in  the  matter  of  regulating  streets. 
Since  by  the  law  above  quoted,  there  can  be  charged 
upon  these  lots  only  one-half  of  their  assessed  value  for 
regulating  and  grading  streets;  and  the  amount  of  as- 
sessed value  is  generally  less  than  one-half  the  real  value  : 
it  occurs  that  the  amount  so  charged  is  really  less  than 
one-fourth  of  what  the  property  could  bear,  and  is  so 
trilling  as  to  cause  the  city  to  pay  almost  the  entire  ex- 
pense of  regulating  and  grading,  and  especially  when- 
ever the  street  is  run  through  a  deep  cutting  or  a  high 
embankment,  when  the  expense  is  the  greatest,  and  where 
the  value  of  the  lot  is  the  least. 

For  these  considerations,  your  Committee  respectfully 
recommend  and  urge  a  repeal  of  the  present  law,  or  such 


1485  (Doc.  No.  83. 

a  modification  of  it  as  will  require  all  property  to  be  as- 
sessed at  its  real  value,  in  cases  where  streets  and  ave- 
nues are  to  be  regulated  and  graded. 

The  difference  in  the  cost  and  extent  of  the  ground  for 
the  two  parks  is — 

81, 407,325  for  759£  acres  for  Central  Park. 
700,575  for  153±  acres  for  Jones'  Pari. 

Difference,  $706,750  for  606i  acres  more  for  Central 
Park,  which  includes  the  present  reservoir  and  the  Ar- 
senal, and  St.  Yincent  grounds,  which  need  not  be  pur- 
chased, containing  57  acres,  and  also  about  135  acres, 
now  belonging  to  the  city ;  which  is,  in  fact,  414i  acres 
more  than  Jones'  Park,  for  $706,750,  which  is  about  the 
cost  of  Jones'  Park. 

It  is  therefore  to  be  borne  in  mind,  that  in  purchasing 
Jones'  Park,  we  pay  for  all  the  land  included  within  the 
limits  of  the  park  ;  whereas,  in  the  acquisition  of  Central 
Pa.ik,  we  enclose  an  area  of  759§  acres  for  park  pur- 
poses, and  have  only  to  pay  for  566f  acres,  including 
ground  for  tlie  new  reservoir,  which  the  city  will  pur- 
chase in  any  event.  This  happens,  because  57  acres  to 
be  enclosed  belong  to  the  State  Arsenal,  and  to  Mount 
St.  Yincent  Academy,  and  to  the  present  receiving  reser- 
voir, which  will  all  be  allowed  to  remain,  and  will  be  im- 
proved in  ornamental  connection  with  the  park,  and  be- 
cause the  city  already  owns  135  acres  scattered  in  various 
parts  within  the  proposed  enclosure ;  27  acres  of  which 
is  on  ground  to  be  covered  by  the  new  reservoir. 


By  reference  to  page  11,  under  the  head  of  Extent,  it 


Doc.  No.  83.)  I486 

is  shown,  that  a  larger  portion  of  the  purchase  money 
could  be  paid  by  assessment  on  the  surrounding  property, 
if  it  should  be  thought  expedient,  for  the  purchase  of 
Central  Park  than  for  the  purchase  of  Jones'  Park, 
which  will  reduce  the  amount  of  purchase  money  to  be 
taxed  upon  property  generally. 

In  case  of  such  purchase,  by  tax  upon  property  gene- 
ally,  by  issue  of  stock  or  otherwise,  the  amount  to  be 
paid  for  Central  Park  will  also  be  reduced,  or  returned 
into  the  City  Treasury,  by  the  amounts  received  from  time 
to  time,  for  sales  of  sites  upon  the  borders  of  the  park, 
which  can  be  spared,  with  advantage,  for  ornamental 
buildings  devoted  to  public  purposes,  &c,  as  explained 
on  page  10,  under  the  head  of  Extent. 

Setting  aside  the  greater  economy  of  the  purchase  of 
Central  Park,  the  numerous  considerations  of  greater 
convenience  of  locality,  general  accessibility,  better  capa- 
city for  embellishment,  superior  topographical  availabil- 
ity, and  public  health,  as  have  been  shown,  would  induce 
your  Committee  to  recommend  the  purchase  of  this  park 
in  preference  to  Jones'  Park. 

Your  Committee  having  fully  set  forth  all  "  the  advan- 
tages and  disadvantages  of  the  ground  (known  as  Jones' 
Woods,)  designated  in  the  act  of  the  Legislature,"  re- 
ferred to  in  the  resolution  committed  to  them,  and  having 
also  examined  and  reported  as  to  "  whether  there  be  not 
a  better  locality  for  a  park,  equal  to  the  present  and  pro- 
spective wants  of  a  great  and  rapidly  increasing  city,  and 
susceptible  of  future  embellishments,  corresponding  to  the 
wealth  and  greatness  of  this  commercial  metropolis 
and  having,  as  they  think,  fully  justified  their  opinion, 


1457 


(Doc.  Xo.  83. 


that  the  grounds  proposed  for  Central  Park  should  be 
purchased  in  preference  to  Jones'  Woods,  or  to  any  other 
locality  on  the  island,  by  a  close  and  rigid  comparison  of 
the  advantages  of  extent,  capacity  for  rural  embellish- 
ments, general  topographical  features,  economy,  &c,  to- 
gether with  a  great  variety  of  facts  and  inferences  bear- 
ing upon  the  subject,  beg  leave  to  say,  that  an  additional 
reason  for  recommending  the  location  of  Central  Park  is, 
that  it  includes  within  its  limits  the  site  already  proposed 
by  the  Croton  Water  Department  for  the  new  reservoir. 

Your  Committee  finally  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention 
of  your  Honorable  Body  to  the  tables  hereto  annexed, 
showing,  Table  1st.  The  cost  of  grading  streets  and 
avenues  on  the  site  of  Central  Park,  and  the  present 
value  of  the  lots.  Table  2d.  Present  value  of  lots  and 
cost  of  grading  streets  and  avenues  on  the  site  of  Jones'* 
Park;  and  also  to  the  map  accompanying  this  report, 
showing  the  relative  position,  size,  topography,  etc.,  of 
Central  Park  and  Jones'  Park,  all  of  which  have  been 
prepared  under  the  direction  of  your  Committee,  and  are 
herewith  presented  as  necessary  to  a  full  understanding 
of  the  matters  discussed. 

In  conclusion,  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation  to  your 
Committee  to  know,  and  this  report  has  shown,  that  it  is 
within  the  power  of  our  citizens  within  a  very  few  years 
to  possess,  at  a  comparatively  trifling  expense,  a  public 
park  of  considerable  extent,  sufficient  for  the  possible 
requirements  of  the  present  and  future  population  of  a 
rapidly  growing  city  ;  a  park  superior  in  available  re- 
sources and  not  surpassed  in  convenience  of  position  or 
availability  for  tasteful  embellishments  ;  a  park  which, 
our  citizens  can,  with  honest  pride,  favorably  compare 


Doc.  No.  83.) 


1488 


with  the  most  celebrated  public  grounds  of  the  chief 
cities  of  Europe ;  not  excepting  Hyde  Park  of  London, 
the  Champs  Elysees  of  Paris,  the  Prater  of  Vienna,  the 
Cascine  of  Florence,  the  Corso  of  Pome,  the  Prado  of 
Madrid,  or  even,  on  the  American  Continent,  with  the 
spacious  Plazas  of  Havana,  or  the  lovely  Botanical  Gar- 
dens of  Pio  de  Janiero.  Indeed,  your  Committee  con- 
fidently claim  that  it  is  within  our  power  to  combine  the 
peculiar  features  and  excellencies  of  each  of  these  mag- 
nificent works  in  our  own  park,  and  even  to  excel  them 
all  by  the  availabilty  of  Central  Park  for  artificial  lakes, 
streams,  cascades  and  fountains,  by  reason  of  its  peculiar 
formation  of  surface,  and  the  never-failing  and  unequaled 
supply  of  water  from  the  largest  aqueduct  in  the  world. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  for  your  Committee  to  state, 
that  these  latter  remarks  will  not  apply  to  Jones'  Park, 
but  refer  solely  to  the  supposition  that  the  idea  of  Central 
Park  will  be  adopted,  it  being  so  far  superior  in  every 
respect  to  Jones'  Park. 

Tour  Committee  therefore  report  the  following  resolu- 
tion : 

Resolved^  That  the  Counsel  to  the  Corporation  be,  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  memorialize  the 
next  legislature  for  the  passage  of  "  an  act"  to  authorize 
the  taking  of  lands  in  the  central  part  of  this  city,  for 
the  use  and  purpose  of  a  public  park,  as  set  forth  in  this  re- 
port ;  said  act  to  provide  for  the  appointment  of  Commis- 
sioners of  Estimate,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Supreme  Court. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

DANIEL  DODGE, )  Special 
JOS.  BEITTON,     j  Committee. 


L  AVER1 


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